Super You

By: Emily Gordon

Narrated by: Emily Gordon

Length: 7 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's Summary

Superheroes don't start from glorious beginnings. Their origins are almost always marked by traumatic events that leave them helpless and scared. Batman witnessed his parents' murder. Superman was sent away from his dying planet with no one to guide him as he grew up. Orphaned Catwoman was forced to steal food to survive on the streets of Gotham.

What makes these superheroes super is their determination to not be defined by helplessness. They embrace their origins, their flaws, and their mistakes and strive every day to become the best versions of themselves - for the benefit of themselves and others.

Super You is a fun, friendly, and unabashedly geeky guide to becoming the superhero of your own extraordinary life. Author Emily Gordon examines comic book tropes to find lessons that anyone can apply toward overcoming tragic events and adversity in their own lives. With activities in every chapter to help identify each person's superpowers, special tools, personal kryptonite - and weapons against it - Super You is the perfect sidekick for every growing hero, empowering everyday people to transform into the most kick-ass versions of themselves.

©2015 Original Material © 2015 by Emily V. Gordon, c/o Wendy Sherman Associates, Inc. (P)2015 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

A wonderful book filled with empathy and humanity.

This book is an incredibly powerful read. Emily Gordon walks a fine line of personalizing the stories so they resonate, but always keeping the focus on the reader's process and the reader's reflection on the material. There's a healthy amount of individuality to her writing and absolutely no ego.

Self-Help books can be tough to read. They can be cloying or patronizing. The worst ones are both. What comes through from "Super You" is empathy and understanding. Emily Gordon's caring for her fellow humans is on every page. Her compassion is on every page. Her genuine wish for a world of wonderful and healthy people is on every page. Hearing the book in her voice just accentuates these things. Her main goal is to get her readers to live their lives with intention, to become the best versions of themselves through self-actualization, and claiming power over their lives, their experiences, and their view of themselves and the world they navigate. "Super You" was written with staggering intention. The plans and goals she lays out in "Super You" are attainable and able to be mastered, if you're willing to put in the work. The book is a wonderful tool, and a testament to the beauty of Emily Gordon's humanity.

Find this book. It meant the world to me, and I believe it will mean the same to you.

72 of 88 people found this review helpful

Great dose of introspection, in a cape.

Love this book! Loved the content, context, delivery -- every thing.

Unlike many other self help books, this one didn't make me feel ashamed for being who I am -- an overly emotional feminine woman who works her but off instead of mingling to get ahead. Given that I go through at least one self help book a quarter, I am well aware that I have many things to work on and thanks to reading those other books I've learned different ways of coping. Usually, after finishing these types of books, I feel defeated and exhausted. As a result, I usually don't read them a second time.

Unlike the type of book I just described, this book will not make you feel ashamed for being who you are. Emily Gordon has written this book to help us look within, work within and eventually grow into our super-you. It will definitely be a reread, times infinity, as I'm certain I'll get something more each time.

Highly recommend!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Good Advice Especially If You're a Girl

Where does Super You rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

As far as self help books go I quickly realized that adult males were not Emily Gordon's target audience. I did gain some good takeaways from this book. There is a lot of practical advice to be found.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I like how she suggests to turn YOU into a superhero. There is you and a super you. There are many versions of you.

What about Emily Gordon’s performance did you like?

Book is definitely targeted to a younger female audience. Should of guessed with the Super Hero theme.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Lots of feminist undertones. Also, there are lots and lots of assumptions made about the differences between men and women. For example, "Men are taught everything they do is golden." This does not ring true in my experience. This is just one example, but there were many more. Felt many of the generalizations reflected more on the author's insecurities than actual truth.

Any additional comments?

Predicted the Super Hero tie in might be gimmicky, but it genuinely made the book more interesting.

8 of 10 people found this review helpful

An interesting take on self-help

I really enjoyed the super you concept. Explaining self-exploration and self-care through super hero concepts was really interesting and useful.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Loved it.

I loved her down to earth style. It was like having a therapist as a friend. Good shit in this book!

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

like a wise big sister's advice

This is the sort of book I would buy for a young woman (high school through college, or perhaps even a little older). That said, although I am a bit beyond that age, I still loved it for myself. It has a lot of lessons and advice that we can all use reminders of, and other insights that reframed certain situations and reactions to them. I highly recommend this charming and accessibly wise book

Loved her "geek is cool"

Great listen that inspires you to be the you-est you you can be! No one can be you as good as you can :) Loved her talk through mind-set and self empowerment to break out into the world as your best you.

Good advice in geeky wrapping

I enjoyed this book, although it was geared more toward females than males. fun, funny, and insightful.

Not your average self-help book

This book is useful and important and should be read by anyone looking to improve their relationships and overall confidence (not just females).

A guide from a Geek!

Would you listen to Super You again? Why?

This was a pretty good book. I'm not 100% sure of it's replay value but it was well worth the original listen.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Super You?

Life lessons for being the best "You" that you can be. All taught with super hero and comic book analogies.

Which scene was your favorite?

When she spoke from personal experience.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It would not hurt to listen to it on an extended drive.

Any additional comments?

I was surprised to learn this book was written and targeted specifically to women. I feel the information in it is great info for both sexes and am a little saddened it brought up gender at all. I hope the book isn' passed on by men who think the book is only for the ladies.